Crikey says: cold comfort in weather forecasts

Climate change in the Pacific: the millions seeking higher ground. Plus Guy Rundle on the refugees coming here. Australia just can’t kick its smoking habit. A Crikey fact-check: if booze were more expensive, would we drink less? Revisiting war conscription 50 years on with its architect. Jane Caro v Cory Bernardi. And a defence of hipster revellers.

Or those Fox News ninnies could read Catherine Wilson’s report from the Solomon Islands in Crikey today. Try and explain this:

“Satellite data shows the sea near the Solomon Islands has risen annually by 8mm over the past 20 years, compared to the global annual average of 3mm. Ontong Java in Malaita Province possesses a total land area of 12 square kilometres, is an average two metres above sea level, with a population of about 3000 …

“With governments struggling to cope with 30 million people internally displaced today in countries around the globe, destitution and indignity is an anxiety for those confronting climate-associated loss. By 2050, Pacific nations could be grappling with up to 1.7 million climate migrants, according to a recent London School of Economics report.”

Mass displacement is now inevitable; one island chief told Crikey “now it is too late”. No matter what the weather forecasters might say.